H13 Tool Steel
Hot-work chromium tool steel that keeps hardness at elevated temperatures — the standard material for hot dies, extrusion tooling and die-cast molds made by Thai toolmakers.
Key properties
| Key properties |
|---|
| Hardness 44-52 HRC (hardened and tempered) |
| Hot hardness retained to ~540°C |
| Tensile strength ~1400-1700 MPa (hardened) |
| Excellent thermal fatigue and shock resistance |
| Good through-hardening in large sections |
| Requires machining in annealed state (~229 HB) |
Common applications
- Hot forging and extrusion dies
- Die-casting dies and cores
- Plastic injection mold inserts
- Hot shear blades and punches
- Mandrels and hot-work tooling
- High-temperature wear parts
Processes available
- CNC machining (annealed, then hardened)
- EDM (wire and sinker)
- Grinding and polishing
- Heat treatment + tempering
Surface finishes
- As machined (pre-heat-treat)
- Hardened + polished mirror
- Nitrided
- Tempered (color)
Cost & pricing
Cost driven by machining in annealed state plus heat treatment — a premium but necessary spend for hot-work tooling.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
How long does production take?
Lead time depends on the process and quantity — 3D printing typically ships in 2–3 business days, CNC machining in 3–5, and injection molding in 10–15 after tooling. You'll see the exact lead time on every quote.
What is the standard tolerance?
CNC-machined parts are held to ±0.1 mm as standard, with ±0.05 mm achievable on critical features. 3D-printed parts are typically ±0.2–0.3 mm. Add your critical dimensions in the notes field.
What is the minimum order quantity?
There is no minimum order — we produce single prototype parts as easily as large production runs. Quantity discounts start from around 10–25 pieces.
What surface finishes are available?
A wide range of finishes is available locally, including as-machined/printed, bead blasting, anodizing (clear, black, gold), powder coating, painting and polishing.
How do I get a quote?
Upload your CAD file (STL, STEP, IGES or 3MF) to the instant-quote tool — the VoluFab pricing engine returns a real quote in seconds, with DFM feedback included.
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